Bench rest pedestal



Dec. 12, 1961 F. E. woLD BENCH REST PEDESTAL Filed Feb. 2. 1959 n/4MM "62D, I

IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. l2, 1961 3,012,350 BENCH REST PEDESTAL Frank E. Wold, P.0. Box 55, Palmdale, Calif. Filed Feb. 2, 1959, Ser. No. '790,753 9 Claims. (Cl. 42-94) The present invention relates generally to the gunsrnith art and, more particularly, to a novel bench rest pedestal for use in adjusting the sights of small arms such as rides, carbines, and the like.

Brielly, the device comprises a housing, a vertically extending shaft mounted therein for vertical movement, and a cradle member mounted on top of the shaft. Means including a knob are provided for adjusting the vertical position of the shaft and locking means including a handle 4are provided for maintaining la shaft in a selected vertical position, the free end of the handle extending to a position `adjacent the knob, whereby the shooter can actuate the handle without moving his hand from the knob.

Known bench rest pedestals are not completely satisfactory because the shooter must perform unnecessary motions and expend too much time in adjusting the vertical position of the cradle so as to bring the bore of the small arm into proper alignment with the target. Consequently, this limits the number of guns which a shooter can adjust in any given period of time. v

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novel bench rest pedestal which can be quickly and accurately adjusted in the vertical direction without changing position.

Another object is to provide such a device which can be easily and quickly adjusted, and locked in position by using only one hand. More particularly, it is an object to provide -a device of this type which includes a locking and unlocking means which can be actuated by the shooter without moving his hand from the adjusting means.

Yet another object is to provide a bench rest'pedestal which can be easily and quickly used lby either a righthanded or lefthanded shooter.

Still another object is to provide such a device which is relatively simple in construction, yet extremely rugged and accurate.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, reference being had to the -accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

In the drawing:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a bench rest pedestal constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention, shown with a rifle supported thereon in sightchecking position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device with the rie supported thereon, illustrating the manner in which the device can be adjusted and locked in position by using only one hand;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, with the gun and sandbag removed; and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4 4 in FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, 10 indicates -a bench rest pedestal embodying the teachings of the present invention and used in adjusting the sights of small arms such as a rie 12. The bench rest pedestal 10 includes a base 14 which is somewhat triangular-shaped in plan view with -three outwardly extending arm-like portions, eaoh of which contains an adjustable leveling screw 16 adjacent the outer end thereof. Extending upwardly from adjacent the center of the base 14 is a housing 18 which contains a vertical channel or passageway 20 for slidably receiving a vertical shaft 22. The shaft 22 has gear teeth 24 formed in one side thereof so as to function asa rack, and a U-shaped cradle member 26 for supporting the front portion of a gunstock is removably mounted on the top of the shaft 22 by means of a flat headed machine screw 27. When the bench rest pedestal is to be stored, the machine screw 27 is removed and the cradle member 26 reversed so that the legs thereof extend downwardly as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. This effectively reduces the height of the device.

Also contained in the housing 18 are two transversely extending passageways 28 `and Sti which intersect the vertical passageway 20. An adjusting shaft 32 is rotatably mounted in the passageway 28 and contains a series of gear teeth 34 about the periphery thereof to provide a pinion which is in operative engagement with the rack 24. A screw and washer assembly 36is mounted on one end of the adjusting shaft 32 to removably maintain it in the passageway, and a knurled adjusting knob 38 is mounted on the other end thereof by means of a machine screw 39.

Positioned within the transversely extending passageway 30 is a split-nut type looking assembly which includes a first cylindrical shaped binding member 40 formed, on a shaft 42 containing a threaded end portion 44 which extends outside the housing 18. Formed in the face of said first binding member 40- is an arcuate surface 46 for binding engagement with the shaft 22, as will be described more fully hereinafter. A second binding member 48 which is tubular in shape is slidably mounted on the shaft 42 within the passageway 30. This second binding member 48 also contains an arcuate surface 50 for engagement with the shaft 22. It will be noted (FIG. 4) V.that when the two arcuate surfaces 4,6;and 50 are in engagement with the shaft 22, there is a space between -the binding memlbers 40 and 48. This permits the binding members to be brought into holding engagement wit-h theshaft 22 by moving the binding members together, as will be described more fully hereinafter. Obviously, the vertical shaft 22 could have a cross section which is square in shape, or any other conventional shapj and lthe surfaces 46 and 50 could be other than arcuate. The primary consideration is that the surfaces 46 and 50 should be capable of binding engagement with the shaft 22, and the members 40 and 48 should have a space therebetween when the surfaces are in binding engagement with the shaft 22. However, it been found Ifrom experience that `a cylindrical'shaft and arcuate binding surfaces provide the best results both from an operating and a manufacturing standpoint. Positioned on the threaded portion 44 of theshaf is a. nut 52 which has the inner end thereof tapered so that its inner face (which is in contact with the outer face of the second binding member 48) is smaller than the diameter of the passageway 30. A kerf 5'14 is contained in the outer face of the nut 52 for a purpose to Y be described hereinafter. A handle member `56 which contains a hub portion 58 and a handle 60 is adjustably and removably mounted on the nut 52. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 60 is L-shaped so that the free end thereof extends substantially parallel with the shaft 32 and adjacent to the knurled knob 38. The end of the hub portion 58 opposite to the handle 60 is bifurcated (FIG. 3) and an Allen screw 62 extends through both portions thereof so as to permit the positioning of the handle member S6 relative to the nut 512. A coiled spring 64 is positioned around the nut 52' between the handle member S6 and the housing 18 tov retard the movement of the handle member 56 relative to -the housing so as amasar) to prevent the handle from falling into a locking position while the adjusting knob 38 is being actuated.

It 'will be noted that when the handle member 55 is rotated in the direction to screw the nut 52 onto the shaft 42 (FIG. 4) the shaft 42 will not rotate because the arcuate surface 46 is in contact with the shaft 22 and the inner face of the nut S2 bears against the second binding member 48 so as to endeavor to pull together the first and second binding members I5-tl and 48. Because the binding members 46 and 48 ha-ve a space between them as previously described, the drawing together of said members causes them to bind the shaft 22 and hold it in adjusted position. As shown in FIG. 3, when the handle member 56 is in the fully tightened position, the free end of the handle 60 is pivoted to a position slightly below the transverse shaft 32. The rotational position of the handle member 56 on the nut 5-2 can be easily and quickly adjusted by loosening the Allen screw 62 and then rotating the handle member 56 while holding the nut 54 stationary with a coin or large screwdriver inserted in the kerf 54.

`In operation, for a righthanded shooter, the bench rest pedestal is placed so that the handle 60 is on the side away from the shooter and the knurled knob 38 is on his left, as shown in FIG. l. The device is then leveled by means of the screws 16, and a narrow sandbag `66 positioned in the cradle member 26. I have found that best results are obtained when the length of the sandbag is substantially the same as the length of the cradle member, and the Width of the bag is approximately the width of the shooters hand, i.e. in the neighborhood of about three inches to about four inches. It is believed that these optimum results are obtained because the use of a sandbag of the aforementioned size closely simulates the hand of the shooter and therefore approaches actual tiring conditions. The forearm or forward part of the gunstock of the rifle 12 is then placed on the sandbag 66', and the butt or heel of the gunstock positioned on a relativelyl large flat sandbag `68. The shooter then looks through the telescope or down the sights of the riile l2 and adjusts the bench rest pedestal Vwith his left hand. The adjustment of the vertical height of the cradle member 26 is accomplished by grasping the knurled knob 38 with the thumb and third and fourth fingers and by positioning the handle 60 between the first and second fingers, or, if the shooter so desires, by grasping the knob with the thumb and rst nger, and actuating the handle with the second nger as shown in FIG. 2i. A

Thus, when the shooter raises the handle 60, the nut 52 moves outwardly on the shaft 42 so as to release the pressure of the binding members 40 and 48 on the shaft 22. The shaft 22 and the cradle member 26 can then be easily and quickly moved to the proper height by rotating the knurled knob 38, which in turn moves the shaft 22 through the pinion 34 and the rack 24. As mentioned hereinabove, the handle 60 cannot inadvertently drop into locking position while the knob 38 is being actuated because the spring 64 maintains it in rotated position. When the cradle member 26 is at the correct height, the handle 60 is depressed so as -to cause the binding members 40 and 48 to again press against the shaft 22 and lock it in adjusted position, `as previously described.

For a lefthanded shooter, the position of the bench rest pedestal is just reversed so that the knob 3K8 is on the right side and the handle 60 is on the left side of the device with the free end thereof in front of the shooter. This permits a lefthanded shooter to grasp the knob 3S with his right hand while actuating the lever 60 with the thumb of his right hand. Y p

Thus, it will be readily apparent that the instant device fuliills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. A lefthanded or righthanded shooter can easily `and quickly adjust the cradle member to the proper vertical height by using only one hand and without having to shift his position during the procedure. The handle 60 is easy to operate to either release or lock lthe shaft 22 in position, and the split nut binding construction is very simple, yet positive in its action. The position of the handle 60 relative to the nut 52 can be easily and quickly adjusted to compensate for wear, and the device is rugged rand has relatively few parts, yet it is extremely accurate in its operation. In addition, the bench rest pedestal can be reduced in effective size for storage or shipping by removing the machine screw 27 and reversing the position of the cradle member so that the free ends thereof extend downwardly as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. v

It is to be understood that the fore going description and the accompanying drawing have been given only by way of illustration and example, and that changes and alterations in the present disclosure, which will be readily apparent to one shilled in the art, are contemplated as Within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing; a vertically extending shaft mounted in the housing for vertical movement Vrelative o thereto; a cradle member mounted on top of the vertical shaft; means for adjusting the position of the vertical shaft including an operating Aknob which projects from the housing to be grasped by the shooter with one hand while sighting; and means operable by the shooter withthe lingers of said one hand withoutrernoving the latter from the knob, for unlocking and locking the vertical shaft in adjusted position including a handle which projects to a position adjacent the knob.

2. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing; a vertically extendingshaft positioned in the housing for vertical movement relative thereto; a U-shaped cradle member removably mounted on top of the vertical shaft and` including means for fastening it to the top of the shaft in a reversed position; means for adjusting the position of the vertical shaft including an operating knob which projects from the housing; means for unlocking and locking the vertical shaftwinwadjusted position; and a handle which projects from said last named means to a position adjacent the knob, whereby the handle can be actuated by the shooter without moving his hand from the knob. v

3. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing having opposed `sides; a vertically extending shaft mounted in the housing for vertical movement relative thereto; 4a cradle member mounted on top of the vertical shaft; means for adjusting the position ofthe vertical shaft including an operating knob which extends from one side of the housing in a horizontal position to be grasped by the shooter with one hand while sighting; and means for unlocking and locking the vertical shaft in adjusted position including a handle which extends transversely of the housing to a position adjacent the knob, whereby the handle can be actuated by the shooter without moving his hand from the knob.

4. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in 'adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing having opposed sides; a vertically extending shaft mounted in the housing for vertical movement relative thereto; aV cradle member mounted on -top of the vertical shaft; means for adjusting the position of the vertical shaft including an operating shaft extending liorizontallyfrom one side of the housing, 4and a knob mounted 011 theend thereof and adapted to be grasped with one hand; and means for unlocking and locking the vertical shaft in adjusted position including a lockingshaft which extends-horizontally from the other side of the housing, and an L-shaped handle mounted adjacent the end thereof, the free end of said handle extending transversely of the housing to a position adjacent the knob whereby the handle can be actuated by the shooter without moving his hand from the knob.

5. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjust-V ing the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing having opposed sides; a vertically extending shaft positioned in the housing for vertical movement relative thereto; a cradle member mounted on top of the vertical shaft; an operating shaft rotatably mounted in the housing in a horizontal position in operative engagement with the vertical shaft for moving the latter in the vertical direction, said operating shaft having one end which extends outside the housing on one side thereof; a knob mounted on said one end of the operating shaft to be grasped by one hand; a locking shaft mounted in the housing in a horizontal position and having an end which extends outside the housing on the other side thereof, said locking shaft containing means for engagement with the vertical shaft for locking it in selected vertical position; and an L-shaped handle mounted on said end of the locking shaft, the free end of the handle extending transversely of the housing to a position adjacent said one Side thereof and the knob, whereby the handle can be actuated by the' shooter without moving his hand from the knob.

6. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing; a vertically extending passageway in the housing; a shaft slidably mounted in the passageway for movement relative to the housing; a cradle member mounted on top of the shaft; means for adjusting the position of the vertical shaft; a horizontally extending passageway in the housing which intersects the vertical passageway; a locking shaft in the horizontal passageway having an inner portion to one side of the center of the vertical shaft, and an outer portion to the other side of the center of the vertical shaft, the inner portion of the locking shaft being of substantially the same size as the horizontal passageway and having a surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, the outer portion of the locking shaft being of reduced diameter; a tubular member mounted on the reduced portion of the locking shaft for sliding movement relative thereto and containing a surface for'binding engagement with the vertical shaft, there being a space between the tubular member and the inner portion of the locking shaft when the binding surfaces thereof are in holding engagement with the vertical shaft; and means for forcing together the tubular member and the inner portion of the locking shaft to cause them to engage the Vertical shaft in holding relationship.

7. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing; a vertically extending passageway in the housing; a cylindrical shaft slidably mounted in the passageway for movement relative to the housing; a cradle member mounted on top of the shaft; means for adjusting the position of the vertical shaft; a horizontally extending passageway in the housing which intersects the vertical passageway; a locking shaft in the horizontal passageway having an inner portion to one side of the center of the vertical` shaft, and an outer portion to the other side of the center of the vertical shaft which extends outside of the housing, said inner portion being of substantially the same size as the horizontal passageway and having an arcuate surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, the outer portion of the shaft being of reduced diameter; a tubular member mounted on the reduced portion of the locking shaft for sliding movement relative thereto and containing an arcuate surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, there being a space between the tubular member and the inner portionof the locking shaft when the binding surfaces thereof are in engagement with the vertical shaft; a nut member threadedly mounted on the free end of the outer portion of the locking shaft in engagement with the tubular member; and means for rotating the nut member relative to the locking shaft.

Y 8. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing; a n

locking shaft in the horizontal passageway having an.

inner portion to one side of the center of the vertical shaft, and an outer portion to the other side of the center of the vertical shaft which extends outside of the housing, said inner portion being of substantially the same size as the horizontal passageway and having an arcuate surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, the outer' portion of the sha-ft being of reduced diameter; a tubular member mounted on the reduced portion of the lockingk shaft for sliding movement relative thereto and containing an arcuate surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, there being a space between the tubular member and the inner portion of the locking shaft-When the binding surfaces thereof are in engagement with the vertical shaft; a nut member threadedly mounted on thefree end of the outer portion of the locking shaft in engagement with the tubular member, the inner end of the nut member being smaller than the horizontal passageway so as not to engage the housing; and a handle adjustably mounted on the nut member for rotating the nut mem.- ber relative to the locking shaft.

9. A bench rest pedestal for use by a shooter in adjusting the sights of small arms, comprising: a housing; a vertically extending passageway in the housing; a cylindrical shaft slidably mounted in the passageway for movement relative to the housing; a cradle member mounted on top of the shaft; means for adjusting thefposition of .the vertical shaft including a knob which extends to one side of the housing; a horizontally extending passageway in the housing which intersects the vertical passageway; a locking shaft in the horizontal passageway having an inner portion to one side of the center of the vertical shaft, and an outer portion to the other side of the center of the vertical shaft which extends outside of the housing, said inner portion being of substantially the same size as the horizontal passageway and having an arcuate surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, the outer portion of the shaft being of reduced diameter; a tubular memberfmounted on the reduced portion of the locking shaft for sliding movement relative thereto and containing an arcuate surface for binding engagement with the vertical shaft, there being a space between the tubular member and the inner portion of the locking shaft when the binding surfaces thereof are in engagement with the vertical shaft; a nut member threadedly mounted on the free end of the outer portion of the locking shaft in engagement with the tubular member, the inner end of the nut member being smaller than the horizontal passageway so as not to engage the housing; a handle adjustably mounted on the nut member and having a free end which extends to a position adjacent the -adjusting knob; and a coiled spring disposed about the nut member between the handle and the housing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES "American Rieman, April 1957, pages 18 and 19. 

